Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a man wanted on six outstanding warrants.
Luke Atkinson, aged 35, is wanted by virtue of multiple outstanding warrants for drug, property, weapon, stealing, assault, traffic, and fraud offences.
Luke is described as being of Caucasian appearance, 175cm to 180cm tall, of medium build, with a shaved head and unshaven facial hair.
He is known to frequent the Hunter Valley area, as well as Sutherland and surrounding suburbs.
The public is urged not to approach Luke and police would like anyone who has information on his whereabouts to contact Muswellbrook Police Station 6542 6999 or Crime Stoppers.
Three people have been charged and two firearms seized following a pursuit and ongoing investigations into alleged firearm thefts in the Hunter region.
Earlier this month, officers from Hunter Valley Police District commenced investigations into alleged thefts of firearms from rural properties in the Upper Hunter Valley area.
Following ongoing inquiries, PolAir 7 commenced following a Landcruiser about 5pm on Tuesday (21 June 2022), which was seen driving through Muswellbrook and Scone, after receiving reports it had allegedly been previously used in a number of thefts.
The vehicle was tracked to the carpark of a fast-food restaurant on Kelly Street, Scone, when officers from Hunter Valley Police District attempted to stop the vehicle.
The Landcruiser allegedly rammed a police vehicle before driving from the scene.
PolAir continued to follow the vehicle to Swinging Ridges Road, Willow Tree, when one of the occupants of the vehicle climbed onto the rear tray of the Landcruiser and allegedly discharged several rounds from a firearm.
The Landcruiser continued to a station on Merriwa Road, Little Jacks Creek, where it entered bushland and the three occupants left the vehicle before fleeing into nearby bushland.
With the assistance of PolAir, officers located and arrested a man and two women in nearby bushland about 2.30am.
Police searched the area and located two firearms, which were seized for forensic examination. Subsequent checks revealed the vehicle had been stolen from the Southern Highlands earlier this month.
The trio were taken to Muswellbrook Police Station, where the man – aged 26 – was charged with fire firearm in or near public place, possess loaded firearm public place, possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority and be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner.
He appeared before Muswellbrook Local Court yesterday (Wednesday 22 June 2022) and was formally refused bail to reappear before the same court on Tuesday 19 July 2022.
A 27-year-old woman was charged with be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner. She was granted conditional bail to appear before Muswellbrook Local Court on Tuesday 19 July 2022.
A second woman – aged 23 – was charged with take and drive conveyance without consent of owner, use offensive weapon in company to prevent detention, drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous, drive motor vehicle during disqualification period, aggravated break and enter dwelling in company steal and dishonestly obtain property by deception.
She was refused bail to appear before Muswellbrook Local Court today (Thursday 23 June 2022).
Australian Greens Deputy Leader and Education spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi has welcomed the Fair Work Ombudsman’s priority investigation of wage theft and casualisation at universities, following revelations of underpayments at dozens of campuses.
Senator Faruqi said:
“Wage theft is widespread in our universities and it is clearly linked to casualisation and job insecurity, which has been allowed to run rampant.
“I’m glad to see Fair Work take this seriously following years of complaints by university staff and unions, as well as the shocking evidence provided to multiple Senate inquiries.
“Since 2020, I have referred many universities to give evidence to the Senate, compelling senior university management to front up and be accountable for systemic underpayments they had presided over.
“I’m hoping in the new parliament we can take decisive action. Piece rates must be abolished immediately, and universities must introduce publicly available targets for increasing permanent employment and reducing casualisation. The federal government has a clear role to play in making sure this happens.
“More broadly, we need a big injection of public funding for our universities, and to overhaul university governance. The corporate university has been built to serve management, not staff and students. Universities must be reimagined on principles of democracy and equity.”
The Federal Court bid by the Australian Conservation Foundation to stop Woodside Energy’s Scarborough gas project until its impact on the Great Barrier Reef is assessed, highlights the need for a climate trigger to assess the impact of polluting projects, the Greens say.
Greens Environment Spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:
“We must stop making climate change worse and that means we stop making pollution worse. Yet environmental approvals don’t even consider the impact of a polluting mine or development on the climate.
“Our environment laws are broken and any suggestion by mining companies and their political mouthpieces that a project can stack up environmentally ignores this fact.
“It’s time to fix these broken laws with the insertion of a ‘climate trigger’ that assesses the climate impacts of a mine, development or land clearing proposal.
“It shouldn’t take a not-for-profit environmental organisation taking a gas giant to court to get a proper assessment of the environmental damage a polluting project could cause.
“The deeply precarious status of the Great Barrier Reef, and many of our other World Heritage sites and iconic natural places, as well as our wildlife, is well documented. Doing more to provide proper protection is a no-brainer.
“The heritage values of the Reef are already under strong scrutiny globally. It’s clear climate change is smashing the Reef, and a new big polluting project like Woodside’s is only going to make that worse.
“All new fossil fuel projects, onshore or offshore, should be assessed under the EPBC Act that properly examines the consequences on our climate and environment.
“Better yet, the Albanese Government should rule out any new coal and gas projects and focus on accelerating the transition to clean, green renewable energy.”
The Greens Leader Adam Bandt says a windfall tax on gas corporations profiteering from the current crisis could be imposed simply by closing loopholes in the Petroleum Resource Rent Tax (PRRT) in the government’s first budget in October.
The PRRT was designed to tax super-profits, but gas corporations figured out how to avoid paying it by building up a backlog of tax credits to the tune of a jaw-dropping $282 billion. This means that gas companies have to burn through $282 billion in profits until they start paying tax.
If we stop the use of these credits, Australia could reap major revenues which are currently going offshore during this global energy crisis. The Greens have been pursuing a fix to the PRRT that would generate $59 billion in revenue over the next 4 years.
Adam Bandt MP said:
“On paper Australia already has a windfall tax, but it is broken and being exploited. A simple legislative fix could ensure we raise the billions we need to help people and businesses suffering from the gas crisis.”
“Gas export operations in Australia are 95.7% overseas-owned. We’re giving our resources away for next to nothing, even as these big corporations put pressure on the country and drive inflation.
“The PRRT is the key. If we fix the PRRT, we could make big gas corporations pay their fair share and use that revenue to help struggling households and businesses.
“The government’s first Budget should fix the PRRT and put an end to the free ride of big gas corporations paying zero tax and zero royalties.
“The Greens are proposing a windfall tax on fossil fuel corporations, with the money used to support households and businesses dealing with skyrocketing energy bills, including by helping them switch from gas to electric, install batteries and make their premises more energy efficient.”
The NSW Government will deliver a record $2.9 billion investment into mental health services and support for people across the State as part of the 2022-23 NSW Budget.
Premier Dominic Perrottet said a significant amount of the funding would be spent on mental health initiatives to support the social and emotional wellbeing of New South Wales residents.
“No matter what challenges we face as a State, we will continue to support the mental health needs of the people of New South Wales now and well into the future,” Mr Perrottet said.
“This Budget will see us deliver universal aftercare for anyone in this State who attempts suicide, while investing for the first time in expanding the Headspace network across New South Wales.”
Minister for Mental Health Bronnie Taylor said the funding would improve vital services and ensure mental health support was more readily available for those who needed it.
“Mental health issues often appear after a crisis, and given what we have gone through as a community over the past couple of years, this support is more important than ever,” Mrs Taylor said.
“We are committed to investing in services across the spectrum of mental health, from acute services to wellbeing supports, to ensure the right service is available at the right time for individuals, families and communities across the State.”
Treasurer Matt Kean said the $2.9 billion announced today included the $130 million COVID-19 mental health recovery package announced in October 2021 and the $25 million flood recovery package, announced this year.
“We know that COVID-19 and some of the worst natural disasters we’ve ever seen have taken an enormous toll over the past few years, and we’re committed to providing all the support we can to those who need it,” Mr Kean said.
Key highlights of the 2022-23 Mental Health Budget include:
$143.4 million across four years for Towards Zero Suicides, to fund suicide prevention initiatives. This continues the $87 million investment in 2019-20 to 2021-22
$60.7 million over four years for Aftercare to support people who have attempted suicide or experienced suicidal crisis. This is on top of $9 million previously invested in a trial of Aftercare from 2019-20 to 2021-22
$46.5 million over four years to substantially expand and enhance Headspace services, ensuring it can reach more young people across the State. This is on top of the $27.0 million previously invested in the service since July 2021
$26.4 million over four years to establish Head to Health hubs that will see multidisciplinary teams operating a no-wrong-door approach to support for adults experiencing mental health challenges
$17.9 million over four years for new child health and wellbeing community-based hubs for children to strengthen support for parents, improve intervention early in life and increase access to multidisciplinary care and Statewide Community Court Liaison Service for children aged up to 12 and their families
$5.2 million over four years for non-government organisations to help new and expecting parents access mental health support and counselling
$28.5 million over four years for Lifeline to boost crisis counselling services. This funding builds on $25.5 million already invested in supporting the vital service since 2018-19
The NSW Government’s investment in Aftercare, Headspace, Head to Health and the child and adolescent hubs will be jointly funded with the Commonwealth Government, bringing the total investment to $383 million.
Creating jobs, developing investment opportunities, delivering more support for young people and improving local services across regional New South Wales will be a key focus of a $1.6 billion package announced in the 2022-23 NSW Budget.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the $1.6 billion boost included a significant top-up for the Regional Growth Fund, which is generating jobs and economic growth and transforming everyday life in the regions through infrastructure upgrades and investment in key regional industries, emerging industry, tourism and events.
“The Regional Growth Fund has supported more than 2,700 projects to date that have created new jobs, provided economic stimulus and made our communities stronger,” Mr Toole said.
“The next phase of the Fund will help build on those foundations with new investment in every corner of our regions.”
This includes a top-up for Resources for Regions to drive infrastructure improvements for safer and more vibrant coal-mining communities, with additional funding for projects in communities with gas development.
The $1.6 billion package will also fund a new $130 million Critical Minerals Activation Fund, setting New South Wales up as a major investment destination for critical minerals mining and advanced manufacturing, enticing international business, creating future jobs and helping to grow regional industries.
A $59 million Regional Youth Package will ensure regional youth can thrive in their own communities and the addition of more Youth Community Coordinators will see more young people in flood-impacted areas supported through the recovery phase, with an additional $9 million to ensure the programs are well supported through the Office of Regional Youth.
Mr Toole said the $1.6 billion package underpinned the NSW Government’s record investment in regional communities to support families and build an even brighter future for regional New South Wales.
“COVID-19 has made residents envy the unique lifestyle and business opportunities on offer in regional New South Wales, with many choosing to leave the city and move to the regions in record numbers,” Mr Toole said
“As our regional communities continue to grow, we need to ensure we keep delivering the infrastructure and services to provide an even better quality of life in the regions.”
The $1.6 billion package will include:
$1.3 billion for the next phase of the Regional Growth Fund
$145 million to establish the Regional Investment Activation Program to make regional NSW the location of choice for investors, enticing new private sector investment to unlock the potential of priority precincts and industries
$130 million to help position New South Wales as the number-one investment destination for critical minerals mining and advanced manufacturing, supporting jobs in agricultural, health, and renewable technologies
$59 million to continue the work of the Office for Regional Youth and the Regional Youth Taskforce, fund new Regional Youth Community Coordinators and deliver tailored initiatives to support young people in regional areas (taking the total amount committed to
$87 million over four years)
$3 million over three years for a Regional Media Capital Grants package to help breathe fresh life into regional news gathering and reporting
Today, I am announcing my intention to recommend to the Governor-General the appointment of four new secretaries of Australian Public Service departments.
Jim Betts will be appointed as Secretary of the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts. Mr Betts has extensive experience in the New South Wales and Victorian public services, including as Secretary of the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, Secretary of the Victorian Department of Transport, and CEO of Infrastructure NSW. He will bring to the Federal level a deep understanding of the priority challenges facing Governments in this space. Mr Betts’ appointment will commence on 11 July 2022.
Jan Adams AO PSM will be appointed as Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Ms Adams is a senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and is currently Australia’s Ambassador to Japan. She has previously served as Ambassador to China, as a senior trade negotiator and as Ambassador for Climate Change. Ms Adams has also had postings to Washington and to the OECD Secretariat in Paris. Ms Adams will commence her appointment on 1 July 2022.
Natalie James will be appointed as Secretary of the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations. Ms James has an extensive career in public service and employment and workplace relations. From 2005 until 2010, she was Chief Counsel to the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, becoming a State Manager of that Department in 2010. In 2013, she was appointed the Fair Work Ombudsman for the Commonwealth. Recently, Ms James has been a Partner at Deloitte Australia. Ms James will commence her appointment on 11 July 2022.
Jenny Wilkinson PSM will be appointed as Secretary of the Department of Finance. Ms Wilkinson, currently Deputy Secretary at Treasury, has held positions across several departments and agencies. This includes running the Parliamentary Budget Office, from July 2017 to January 2020. Prior to that, she held senior positions at Treasury, the Department of Industry, the Department of Climate Change, the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, and the Reserve Bank of Australia. Working in these roles, she has provided advice on a wide range of economic policy issues. She was awarded a PSM in 2021 for outstanding public service in the development of fiscal policy. Ms Wilkinson will take up her appointment on 9 August 2022, on Rosemary Huxtable’s retirement.
Additionally, David Fredericks PSM will be leaving his role as Secretary of the Department of Industry, Science and Resources, to lead the newly created Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. Mr Fredericks has extensive senior experience engaging on policy and Budget within the APS and ministers’ offices. As well as Secretary experience in both the Department of Industry, Science and Resources, and the Department of Environment and Energy, he has experience at the Deputy Secretary level at the Attorney-General’s Department and the Department of Finance. He has held senior Ministerial Adviser roles at both the Commonwealth and state levels. Prior to that he served in the Solomon Islands’ Ministry of Treasury and Finance.
Each of these appointments will be for five years.
Dr Gordon de Brouwer PSM will return to the Australian Public Service as Secretary for Public Sector Reform. Working to the Minister for the Public Service and in close partnership with Peter Woolcott AO, the Australian Public Service Commissioner, he will lead and implement a wide range of public sector reforms which will support my commitment to place greater value on the public service and to grow its capability.
Simon Atkinson and Kathryn Campbell AO CSC will conclude their Secretary roles with effect from 1 July 2022. I thank them both for their service to the Australian Public Service over many years. They have both brought great professionalism and deep experience to the range of roles they have held, and I wish them both the best. Ms Campbell will be taking up a senior appointment in the Defence portfolio in an AUKUS-related role.
I congratulate Mr Betts, Ms Adams, Ms James and Ms Wilkinson on their appointments. The appointment of Secretary of the Department of Industry, Science and Resources will be made shortly. Acting Secretaries will be appointed by Ministers as required.
Attached is a full list of Secretaries and their Departments with effect from July 2022.
Attachment
APS Departments and Secretaries as at 1 July 2022
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
Prof Glyn Davis AC
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Mr Andrew Metcalfe AO
Attorney-General’s Department
Ms Katherine Jones PSM
Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
Mr David Fredericks PSM
Department of Defence
Mr Greg Moriarty
Department of Education
Dr Michele Bruniges AM
Department of Employment and Workplace Relations
Ms Natalie James [from 11 July 2022]
Department of Finance
Ms Jenny Wilkinson PSM [from 9 Aug 2022]
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Ms Jan Adams AO PSM
Department of Health and Aged Care
Prof Brendan Murphy AC
Department of Home Affairs
Mr Michael Pezzullo AO
Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts
A man has been charged following a pursuit with police in the Hunter region this afternoon.
About 1.30pm (Wednesday 22 June 2022), officers from Forster Traffic and Highway Patrol attempted to stop a Porsche Cayman on the Pacific Highway, Coolongolook, inland from Forster, after reports regarding its manner of driving.
The Porsche failed to stop, and a pursuit was initiated, with the vehicle travelling southbound on the highway allegedly at speeds over 200km/h.
The vehicle travelled into the Heatherbrae township and entered a local car park, travelling around the carpark for some time.
The vehicle eventually exited the carpark onto Banks Street, before crashing into a fence.
The driver – a 20-year-old man – was not injured. He was arrested by police and was taken to Maitland Hospital for mandatory testing.
Subsequent inquiries revealed the vehicle was reportedly stolen from a South Brisbane address on Sunday (19 June 2022).
The man has since been taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station and charged with 11 offences including:
Larceny
Destroy or damage property
Receive etc property stolen outside NSW
Police pursuit – not stop – drive at speed
Police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously
Drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous
Negligent driving (3)
Possess prohibited drug
Never licensed person drive vehicle on road
He was refused bail to appear before Raymond Terrace Local Court on Thursday 23 June 2022.
A man has been charged after a pedestrian was allegedly fatally hit by a truck in the Hunter Valley yesterday.
About 6.30am (Tuesday 21 June 2022), emergency services were called to Cessnock Road, Maitland, following reports a male pedestrian had been hit by a truck.
The driver of the truck – a 47-year-old man – immediately stopped and attempted to render assistance; however, the 62-year-old man died at the scene.
The truck driver was uninjured and taken to Maitland Hospital for mandatory testing.
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District and the Crash Investigation Unit attended and established a crime scene, which was forensically examined.
Following inquiries by Crash Investigation Unit officers, the driver of the truck was arrested and taken to Maitland Police Station, where he was charged with dangerous driving occasioning death and negligent driving occasioning death.
He was granted conditional bail and will appear at Maitland Local Court on Wednesday 27 July 2022.
